US20240103044A1 - Systems, methods, and apparatuses for non-contact voltage detection - Google Patents

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for non-contact voltage detection Download PDF

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Publication number
US20240103044A1
US20240103044A1 US18/464,819 US202318464819A US2024103044A1 US 20240103044 A1 US20240103044 A1 US 20240103044A1 US 202318464819 A US202318464819 A US 202318464819A US 2024103044 A1 US2024103044 A1 US 2024103044A1
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voltage
source
contact
sensor plate
current
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Sanjay Kothari
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Honeywell International Inc
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Honeywell International Inc
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R15/00—Details of measuring arrangements of the types provided for in groups G01R17/00 - G01R29/00, G01R33/00 - G01R33/26 or G01R35/00
    • G01R15/14—Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
    • G01R15/16—Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks using capacitive devices

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to systems, methods, apparatuses for non-contact voltage detection.
  • Applicant has identified many technical challenges and difficulties associated with systems, apparatuses, and methods for non-contact voltage detection. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved problems related to systems, apparatuses, and methods for non-contact voltage detection by developing solutions embodied in the present disclosure, which are described in detail below.
  • Various embodiments described herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for non-contact voltage detection.
  • a non-contact voltage detector in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, includes a sensor plate. In this regard, in the presence of a source voltage associated with the voltage source a current is induced in the sensor plate.
  • the non-contact voltage detector includes a fixed frequency resonator proximate the sensor plate and comprising a pair of plates each configured to oscillate.
  • the non-contact voltage detector further includes a current to voltage converter connected with the sensor plate and configured to convert the current induced in the sensor plate into a voltage.
  • the non-contact voltage detector further includes an analog to digital converter connected with the current to voltage converter configured to convert the voltage into a digital signal.
  • the non-contact voltage detector further includes a controller connected with the analog to digital converter and configured to receive the digital signal from the analog to digital converter and, in response to receiving the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, detect the source voltage.
  • the controller in response to the controller detecting the source voltage, the controller is configured to trigger an alarm.
  • the controller detects the source voltage when the source voltage is greater than a sensitivity.
  • the sensor plate and the fixed frequency resonator are separated by a first distance.
  • the sensitivity is inversely proportional to the first distance.
  • the fixed frequency resonator is associated with a resonator frequency and wherein each of the pair of plates are configured to oscillate at the resonator frequency.
  • the source voltage comprises DC voltage.
  • the source voltage comprises DC voltage and AC voltage.
  • the controller is further configured to perform a Fast Fourier Transform to determine a first component set and a second component set.
  • the pair of plates are configured to oscillate between a first position in which the pair of plates contact each other and a second position in which the pair of plates are separated by a second distance.
  • a non-contact voltage detection method includes oscillating each of a pair of plates of a fixed frequency resonator.
  • the fixed frequency resonator may be proximate a sensor plate.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes converting the current into a voltage using a current to voltage converter.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes converting the voltage into a digital signal using an analog to digital converter.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes receiving the digital signal from the analog to digital converter.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes detecting the source voltage.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes triggering an alarm in response to detecting the source voltage.
  • the source voltage is detected when the source voltage is greater than a sensitivity.
  • the sensor plate and the fixed frequency resonator are separated by a first distance.
  • the sensitivity is inversely proportional to the first distance.
  • the fixed frequency resonator is associated with a resonator frequency and wherein each of the pair of plates are configured to oscillate at the resonator frequency.
  • the source voltage comprises DC voltage.
  • the source voltage comprises DC voltage and AC voltage.
  • the non-contact voltage detection method further includes performing a Fast Fourier Transform to determine a first component set and a second component set.
  • the pair of plates are configured to oscillate between a first position in which the pair of plates contact each other and a second position in which the pair of plates are separated by a second distance.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example non-contact voltage detector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example fixed frequency resonator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface of a controller of the non-contact voltage detector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method of non-contact voltage detection in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer processing device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Example embodiments disclosed herein address technical problems associated with non-contact voltage detection. As would be understood by one skilled in the field to which this disclosure pertains, there are numerous example scenarios in which a user may need to use non-contact voltage detection.
  • non-contact voltage detection can help ensure safety in electronic applications that use high voltage (e.g., electric cars, transformers, industrial equipment, etc.).
  • non-contact voltage detection can improve efficiency and reduce costs in applications in which it is difficult to directly make contact with a voltage source and/or applications that include sensitive electronic circuits that may be damaged through contact.
  • non-contact voltage detection of alternating current (AC) voltage sources can be accomplished.
  • non-contact voltage detection of AC voltage sources can be performed by first approaching the AC voltage source with a copper plate. Once the copper plate is at a fixed distance from the AC voltage source, a capacitor is formed by the AC voltage source and the copper plate. An AC current can be generated by the capacitor and, since the distance between the copper plate and the AC voltage source is fixed (e.g., the capacitor's capacitance is fixed) and the source voltage is an AC voltage, the capacitor will not become fully charged. The AC current can then be analyzed to detect and measure the AC voltage source.
  • the same approach does not work for detecting a DC voltage source because the distance between the copper plate and the DC voltage source is fixed (e.g., the capacitor's capacitance is fixed) and the source voltage is a DC voltage and, as a result, the capacitor will become fully charged.
  • the capacitor formed by the DC voltage source and the copper plate may create a DC current
  • the DC current only exists for a short period of time (e.g., a few nano seconds) until the capacitor is fully charged.
  • a short period of time e.g., a few nano seconds
  • Example solutions for non-contact voltage detection of a DC voltage source include, for example, a rotating vane electric field mill technique.
  • the rotating vane electric field mill technique has several disadvantages, including introduction of noise, creation of numerous frequency components, and/or need of a motor.
  • the rotating vane electric field mill technique results in less accurate detection of DC voltage (e.g., through the introduction of noise and the creation of numerous frequency components) and requires, in some examples, increased construction and operating costs (e.g., due to the need of a motor).
  • example systems, apparatuses, and/or methods for non-contact voltage detection include a sensor plate in which in the presence of a source voltage associated with a voltage source a current is induced in the sensor plate.
  • a fixed frequency resonator may be positioned proximate the sensor plate and include a pair of plates that are each configured to oscillate.
  • the oscillation of the pair of plates of the fixed frequency resonator may cause the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate to vary.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate may be an AC current even if the source voltage associated with the voltage source is or otherwise includes a DC voltage.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate may be converted into a voltage and the voltage may then be converted into a digital signal.
  • the digital signal may be analyzed by a controller to detect the presence of a DC voltage associated with the voltage source and also determine (e.g., measure) the DC voltage associated with the voltage source. Accordingly, embodiments herein provide for the non-contact detection and measurement of a DC voltage associated with a voltage source, in some examples, without the inaccuracies and costs associated with other means of non-contact voltage detection.
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be configured to detect a source voltage associated with a voltage source 116 and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 . In some embodiments, the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be configured to detect the source voltage without making contact with the voltage source 116 . That is, the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be capable of detecting the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 without making a galvanic connection to the voltage source 116 . In some embodiments, the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 may be alternating current (AC) voltage and/or direct current (DC) voltage.
  • AC alternating current
  • DC direct current
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include a sensor plate 104 .
  • the sensor plate 104 may comprise any electrically conductive material.
  • the sensor plate 104 may comprise copper, aluminum, steel, iron, gold, silver, and/or graphite.
  • the sensor plate 104 may be positioned proximate the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 when the non-contact voltage detector 100 is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source 116 and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 may be at least partially separated by an insulator (e.g., ambient air) Accordingly, when the non-contact voltage detector 100 is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source 116 and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , a capacitor is formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 .
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 may each form one side of the capacitor.
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include a fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 may be an electromechanical resonator.
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 may be proximate the sensor plate and, when the non-contact voltage detector 100 is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source 116 and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , proximate the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 (e.g., between the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 there may be an insulator (e.g., ambient air) and/or the fixed frequency resonator 102 ).
  • the sensor plate 104 and the fixed frequency resonator 102 may be separated by a distance d.
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 may include a pair of plates 202 A and 202 B.
  • Each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may comprise any electrically conductive material.
  • each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may comprise copper, aluminum, steel, iron, gold, silver, and/or graphite.
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 and/or each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be connected to ground 118 in order to increase the noise immunity of the fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be configured to oscillate. In some embodiments, as the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B oscillate, a distance R between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may vary. In some embodiments, the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may oscillate between a first position and a second position. The distance R between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be smallest when the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B are in the first position. The distance R between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be largest when the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B are in the second position. In some embodiments, in the first position the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B of plates may be in contact with each other (e.g., the distance R is zero).
  • the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be configured to oscillate at a resonator frequency F r .
  • the distance R may vary in accordance with the resonator frequency F r .
  • the distance R between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B at the peak of the resonator frequency F r may be greater than at the trough of the resonator frequency F r or vice versa.
  • the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be separated by 10 mm-20 mm at the peak of the resonator frequency F r and 2 mm-4 mm at the trough of the resonator frequency F r .
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 may cause the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 to vary. For example, as the distance R between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B increases, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 may increase, while as the distance between the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B decreases, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 may decrease.
  • a current may be induced in the sensor plate 104 .
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 may induce the current in the sensor plate 104 .
  • the greater the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 the greater the current that will be induced in the sensor plate 104 .
  • a source voltage of 240V will induce a greater current in the sensor plate 104 than a source voltage of 120V.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate 104 may be an AC current.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate 104 may be an AC current if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 includes a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or both a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
  • the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 varies as the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B oscillate, the current induced in the sensor plate 104 by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 will also vary.
  • the fixed frequency resonator 102 is configured to modulate the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 and the sensor plate 104 resulting in an AC current being induced in the sensor plate 104 .
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be associated with a sensitivity.
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may indicate a threshold at which the non-contact voltage detector 100 may detect the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 . For example, if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 120 Volts (V), the non-contact voltage detector 100 will detect the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , if the source voltage is at least 120V. In this regard, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 is greater than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , the current will be induced in the sensor plate 104 . Additionally, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 is less than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , the current will not be induced in the sensor plate 104 .
  • V Volts
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be set by adjusting the distance d between the sensor plate 104 and the fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the distance d may be inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 .
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be increased by reducing the distance d and decreased by increasing the distance d. For example, if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 120V, the distance d may be less than if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 240V.
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be set by adjusting a size of each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B.
  • the size of each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be proportional to the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 .
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be increased by increasing the size of each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B and decreased by decreasing the size of each of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B. For example, if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 120V, the size of the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be greater than if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 240V.
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be set by adjusting the resonator frequency F r at which the pair of plates 202 A and 202 B may be configured to oscillate.
  • the resonator frequency F r may be proportional to the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 .
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be increased by increasing the resonator frequency F r and decreased by decreasing the resonator frequency F r . For example, if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 120V, the resonator frequency F r may be greater than if the non-contact voltage detector 100 has a sensitivity of 240V.
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include a current to voltage converter 106 connected to the sensor plate 104 .
  • the current to voltage converter 106 may be configured to convert the current induced in the sensor plate 104 into a voltage.
  • the voltage may be an AC voltage.
  • the current to voltage converter 106 may comprise any electronic circuit capable of converting a current into a voltage.
  • the current to voltage converter 106 may be a transimpedance filter.
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include an analog to digital converter (ADC) 108 connected to the current to voltage converter 106 .
  • the ADC 108 may be configured to convert the voltage into a digital signal.
  • the ADC 108 may be any electronic circuit capable of converting the voltage into a digital signal.
  • the ADC 108 may be a direct-conversion ADC, a successive approximation ADC, a ramp-compare ADC, a Wilkinson ADC, an integrating ADC, a delta-encoded ADC, a pipelined ADC, a sigma-delta ADC, a time-interleaved ADC, an intermediate FM ADC, and/or a time-stretch ADC.
  • the ADC 108 is depicted as a separate component of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , it would be understood by one skilled in the field to which this disclosure pertains, that, in some embodiments, the ADC 108 may be embodied within the controller 110 .
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include a controller 110 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to receive the digital signal from the ADC 108 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to detect the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 by receiving the digital signal from the ADC 108 . That is, if the controller 110 receives the digital signal from the ADC 108 , the controller 110 detects the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be set such that, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 is less than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , no current will be induced in the sensor plate 104 and, as a result, the controller 110 will not receive the digital signal from the ADC 108 (e.g., via the current to voltage converter 106 ).
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector may be set such that, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 is equal to or greater than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , the current will be induced in the sensor plate 104 and, as a result, the controller 110 will receive the digital signal from the ADC 108 (e.g., via the current to voltage converter 106 ).
  • the controller 110 may be configured to measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 based on the digital signal received from the ADC 108 .
  • the controller 110 may be able to measure a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , an AC voltage the voltage source 116 , and/or a DC and an AC voltage the voltage source 116 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the digital signal received from the ADC 108 .
  • FFT Fast Fourier Transform
  • the controller 110 may be able to determine a first component set and, when the voltage associated with the voltage source 116 includes an AC voltage, a second component set (e.g., the first component set and the second component set including components in the frequency domain).
  • the first component set may include a component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 based on the component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to determine the amplitude of the DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 using the component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator 102 .
  • the second component set may include a component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator 102 and components (e.g., F r +f and F r ⁇ f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source 116 (e.g., the frequency of an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 ).
  • the controller 110 may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 based on the components (e.g., F r +f and F r ⁇ f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 because the sum of the components (e.g., F r +f and F r ⁇ f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source 116 may be proportional to a determined modulation depth and the modulation depth may be proportional to the AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the FFT will only produce the first component set, because the frequency of the voltage produced by the current to voltage converter will be the resonator frequency F r .
  • the FFT will produce both the first component set and the second component set, because the frequency of the voltage produced by the current to voltage converter 106 will be based on the resonator frequency F r and the frequency (f) of the AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include an alarm 112 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to trigger the alarm 112 when the controller 110 receives the digital signal from the ADC 108 . For example, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 is greater than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector 100 such that the controller 110 receives the digital signal from the ADC 108 , the controller 110 may trigger the alarm 112 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to trigger the alarm 112 when the controller 110 measures a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 that is greater than a DC voltage threshold. For example, if the controller 110 determines that a 240V DC voltage is associated with the voltage source 116 and the DC voltage threshold is 200V, the controller may trigger the alarm 112 . In some embodiments, the controller 110 may be configured to trigger the alarm 112 when the controller 110 measures an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 that is greater than an AC voltage threshold. For example, if the controller 110 determines that a 240V AC voltage is associated with the voltage source 116 and the AC voltage threshold is 200V, the controller may trigger the alarm 112 .
  • the controller 110 may be configured to trigger the alarm 112 when the controller 110 measures a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 that is greater than the DC voltage threshold and an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 that is greater than the AC voltage threshold. For example, if the controller 110 determines that a 240V DC voltage and a 240V AC voltage is associated with the voltage source 116 and the DC voltage threshold is 200V and the AC voltage threshold is 200V, the controller may trigger the alarm 112 .
  • the alarm 112 may include one or more lights, sirens, and/or speakers.
  • the alarm 112 may be configured to alert a user of the non-contact voltage detector 100 when the controller 110 triggers the alarm 112 .
  • the alarm 112 may be configured to turn on or off one or more lights, sound a siren, and/or make an announcement.
  • the controller 110 may include a user interface 302 .
  • the user interface 302 may include an AC/DC selection component 304 .
  • the AC/DC selection component 304 may be used to configure the non-contact voltage detector 100 to measure for an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 , or both an AC voltage and a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • a user of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may be able to use the AC/DC selection component 304 of the user interface 302 to configure the non-contact voltage detector 100 to measure for a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 .
  • the user interface 302 may include an input power supply selection component 306 .
  • the input power supply selection component 306 may be used to configure the non-contact voltage detector 100 to be use one or more different power supplies.
  • a user of the non-contact voltage detector 100 may use the input power supply selection component 306 of the user interface 302 to configure the non-contact voltage detector 100 to be used with a 50 Hertz (Hz), a 60 Hz, or any other power supply.
  • Hz Hertz
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 can be readily configured to be used with multiple different power supplies, such as different power supplies that are used in different countries.
  • the user interface 302 may include a measured output component 308 .
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display whether the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 includes a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or both a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
  • the measured output component 308 may display text, symbols, graphs, and/or colors indicating that the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 includes a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or both a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display the source voltage associated with the voltage source 116 determined (e.g., measured) by the controller 110 .
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display a DC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 determined by the controller 110 .
  • the measured output component 308 may display text, symbols, graphs, and/or colors indicating that the voltage source 116 includes a DC voltage of 120V.
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 determined by the controller 110 .
  • the measured output component 308 may display text, symbols, graphs, and/or colors indicating that the voltage source 116 includes an AC voltage of 120V.
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display both a DC voltage and AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 determined by the controller 110 .
  • the measured output component 308 may display text, symbols, graphs, and/or colors indicating that the voltage source 116 includes a DC voltage of 120V and an AC voltage of 240V.
  • the measured output component 308 may be configured to display the frequency f of an AC voltage associated with the voltage source 116 determined by the controller 110 .
  • the measured output component 308 may display text, symbols, graphs, and/or colors indicating that the voltage source 116 includes an AC voltage having a frequency f of 60 Hz.
  • the non-contact voltage detector 100 may include an electronic driver 114 .
  • the electronic driver 114 may be configured to cause the fixed frequency resonator 102 to operate at the resonator frequency F r .
  • the electronic driver 114 may be any electronic circuit capable of causing the fixed frequency resonator 102 to operate at the resonator frequency F r .
  • the electronic driver 114 is depicted as a separate component of the non-contact voltage detector 100 , it would be understood by one skilled in the field to which this disclosure pertains, that, in some embodiments, the electronic driver 114 may be embodied within the fixed frequency resonator 102 and/or the controller 110 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates operations that may be performed by the non-contact voltage detector 100 and/or components of the non-contact voltage detector 100 .
  • the operations illustrated in FIG. 4 may, for example, be performed by, with the assistance of, and/or under the control of the controller 110 (e.g., processing circuitry 502 , memory 504 , processor 506 , user interface 508 , and/or communication interface 510 ), the fixed frequency resonator 102 , the sensor plate 104 , the current to voltage converter 106 , the ADC 108 , the alarm 112 , and/or the electronic driver 114 .
  • the controller 110 e.g., processing circuitry 502 , memory 504 , processor 506 , user interface 508 , and/or communication interface 510
  • the controller 110 e.g., processing circuitry 502 , memory 504 , processor 506 , user interface 508 , and/or communication interface 510
  • the controller 110 e.g., processing circuitry 502 , memory
  • the method may include oscillating each of a pair of plates of a fixed frequency resonator.
  • the fixed frequency resonator may be proximate a sensor plate.
  • the sensor plate may be positioned proximate the source voltage associated with the voltage source when the non-contact voltage detector is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source.
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate may be at least partially separated by an insulator (e.g., ambient air). Accordingly, when the non-contact voltage detector is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source, a capacitor is formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate.
  • the fixed frequency resonator may be proximate the sensor plate and, when the non-contact voltage detector is being used to detect the source voltage associated with a voltage source and/or measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source, proximate the source voltage associated with the voltage source (e.g., between the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate there may be an insulator (e.g., ambient air) and/or the fixed frequency resonator).
  • proximate the source voltage associated with the voltage source e.g., between the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate there may be an insulator (e.g., ambient air) and/or the fixed frequency resonator).
  • the fixed frequency resonator may include a pair of plates.
  • the pair of plates may be configured to oscillate.
  • the fixed frequency resonator may cause the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate to vary. For example, as the distance R between the pair of plates increases, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate may increase, while as the distance between the pair of plates decreases, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the source voltage associated with the voltage source and the sensor plate may decrease.
  • a current may be induced in the sensor plate.
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source may induce the current in the sensor plate.
  • the greater the source voltage associated with the voltage source the greater the current that will be induced in the sensor plate.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate may be an AC current.
  • the current induced in the sensor plate may be an AC current if the source voltage associated with the voltage source includes a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or both a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
  • the method may include converting the current into a voltage using a current to voltage converter.
  • a current to voltage converter may be configured to convert the current induced in the sensor plate into a voltage.
  • the voltage may be an AC voltage.
  • the method may include converting the voltage into a digital signal using an analog to digital converter (ADC).
  • ADC analog to digital converter
  • an ADC may be configured to convert the voltage into a digital signal.
  • the ADC may be a separate component of the non-contact voltage detector, it would be understood by one skilled in the field to which this disclosure pertains, that, in some embodiments, the ADC may be embodied within the controller.
  • the method may include receiving the digital signal from the analog to digital converter.
  • the method may include detecting the source voltage.
  • the controller may be configured to detect the source voltage associated with the voltage source by receiving the digital signal from the ADC. That is, if the controller receives the digital signal from the ADC, the controller detects the source voltage associated with the voltage source. Said differently, because the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector may be set such that, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source is less than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector, no current will be induced in the sensor plate and, as a result, the controller will not receive the digital signal from the ADC (e.g., via the current to voltage converter).
  • the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector may be set such that, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source is equal to or greater than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector, the current will be induced in the sensor plate and, as a result, the controller will receive the digital signal from the ADC (e.g., via the current to voltage converter).
  • the method may optionally include triggering an alarm in response to detecting the source voltage.
  • the controller may be configured to trigger the alarm when the controller receives the digital signal from the ADC. For example, if the source voltage associated with the voltage source is greater than the sensitivity of the non-contact voltage detector such that the controller receives the digital signal from the ADC, the controller may trigger the alarm.
  • the method may optionally include performing a Fast Fourier Transform to determine a first component set and a second component set.
  • the first component set and the second component set may include components in the frequency domain.
  • the first component set may include a component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator.
  • the second component set may include a component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator and components (e.g., F r +f and F r ⁇ f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source (e.g., the frequency of an AC voltage associated with the voltage source).
  • the method may optionally include measuring the source voltage.
  • the controller may be configured to measure the source voltage associated with the voltage source based on the digital signal received from the ADC. For example, the controller may be able to measure a DC voltage associated with the voltage source, an AC voltage the voltage source, and/or a DC and an AC voltage the voltage source. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) a DC voltage associated with the voltage source based on the component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator.
  • the controller may be configured to determine the amplitude of the DC voltage associated with the voltage source using the component associated with the resonator frequency F r associated with the fixed frequency resonator.
  • the controller may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) an AC voltage associated with the voltage source based on the components (e.g., F r +f and F r —f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source.
  • the controller may be configured to determine (e.g., measure) an AC voltage associated with the voltage source because the sum of the components (e.g., F r +f and F r —f) associated with a frequency f associated with the voltage source may be proportional to the modulation depth and the modulation depth may be proportional to the AC voltage associated with the voltage source.
  • the source voltage associated with the voltage source includes only a DC voltage
  • the FFT will only produce the first component set, because the frequency of the voltage produced by the current to voltage converter will be the resonator frequency F r .
  • the FFT will produce both the first component set and the second component set, because the frequency of the voltage produced by the current to voltage converter will be based on the resonator frequency F r and the frequency (f) of the AC voltage associated with the voltage source.
  • the controller may be configured to trigger the alarm when the controller measures a DC voltage associated with the voltage source that is greater than a DC voltage threshold. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to trigger the alarm when the controller measures an AC voltage associated with the voltage source that is greater than an AC voltage threshold. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to trigger the alarm when the controller measures a DC voltage associated with the voltage source that is greater than the DC voltage threshold and an AC voltage associated with the voltage source that is greater than the AC voltage threshold.
  • FIG. 5 a block diagram of an example computer processing device 500 is illustrated in accordance with some example embodiments.
  • the controller 110 may be embodied as one or more computer processing devices, such as the computer processing device 500 in FIG. 5 .
  • the components, devices, or elements illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 5 below may not be mandatory and thus one or more may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices or elements beyond those illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 5 .
  • the computer processing device 500 may include or otherwise be in communication with processing circuitry 502 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
  • the processing circuitry 502 may be configured to perform and/or control performance of one or more functionalities of the computer processing device 500 in accordance with various embodiments, and thus may provide means for performing functionalities of the computer processing device 500 in accordance with various embodiments.
  • the processing circuitry 502 may be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to one or more embodiments.
  • the computer processing device 500 or a portion(s) or component(s) thereof, such as the processing circuitry 502 may be embodied as or comprise a chip or chip set.
  • the computer processing device 500 or the processing circuitry 502 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard).
  • the structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon.
  • the computer processing device 500 or the processing circuitry 502 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.”
  • a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.
  • the processing circuitry 502 may include a processor 506 and, in some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 5 , may further include memory 504 .
  • the processing circuitry 502 may be in communication with or otherwise control a user interface 508 and/or a communication interface 510 .
  • the processing circuitry 502 may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein.
  • the processor 506 may be embodied in a number of different ways.
  • the processor 506 may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • the processor 506 may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the computer processing device 500 as described herein.
  • the processor 506 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 504 or otherwise accessible to the processor 506 .
  • the processor 506 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry—in the form of processing circuitry 502 ) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly.
  • the processor 506 when the processor 506 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 506 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.
  • the processor 506 when the processor 506 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 506 to perform one or more operations described herein.
  • the memory 504 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable.
  • the memory 504 may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. It will be appreciated that while the memory 504 is illustrated as a single memory, the memory 504 may comprise a plurality of memories.
  • the memory 504 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions and/or the like for enabling the computer processing device 500 to carry out various functions in accordance with one or more embodiments.
  • the memory 504 may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 506 .
  • the memory 504 may be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 506 .
  • the memory 504 may include one or more databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory 504 , applications may be stored for execution by the processor 506 in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the memory 504 may be in communication with one or more of the processor 506 , user interface 508 , and/or communication interface 510 via a bus(es) for passing information among components of the computer processing device 500 .
  • the user interface 508 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 502 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface 508 and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user.
  • the user interface 508 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms.
  • the user interface 508 may, in some embodiments, provide means for a user to access and interact with the controller 110 .
  • the communication interface 510 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks.
  • the communication interface 510 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 502 .
  • the communication interface 510 may be configured to enable the controller 110 to communicate with the fixed frequency resonator 102 , the sensor plate 104 , the current to voltage converter 106 , the analog to digital converter 108 , the alarm 112 , the electronic driver 114 , and/or other controllers/computing devices.
  • the communication interface 510 may, for example, include an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless local area network, cellular network, global positing system network, and/or the like) and/or a communication modem or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.
  • a wireless communication network e.g., a wireless local area network, cellular network, global positing system network, and/or the like
  • a communication modem or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Current Or Voltage (AREA)
  • Measuring Instrument Details And Bridges, And Automatic Balancing Devices (AREA)
US18/464,819 2022-09-26 2023-09-11 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for non-contact voltage detection Pending US20240103044A1 (en)

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JP5727074B1 (ja) * 2014-06-04 2015-06-03 長谷川電機工業株式会社 直流電圧検出器
TWI649568B (zh) * 2014-10-17 2019-02-01 日商日置電機股份有限公司 Voltage detecting device
JPWO2017168608A1 (ja) * 2016-03-30 2018-12-27 株式会社日立システムズ 非接触電圧測定装置および非接触電圧測定方法
US10802072B2 (en) * 2018-05-11 2020-10-13 Fluke Corporation Non-contact DC voltage measurement device with oscillating sensor
US20220050129A1 (en) * 2018-12-13 2022-02-17 G.L. McGavin Pty Ltd Non-contact detector

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